.png)
Kam Chera
Kam Chera is unique in the world of North East business, having achieved success across a wide range of industries. From catering and hospitality to the creative arts, Kam has ensured that Asian culture has a strong platform across the region, excelling in various fields and bringing his talent, passion, and business acumen to each discipline.
An engineer with a First-Class Honours degree and a Masters in Business, Kam ran several successful restaurants in Sunderland before he and his wife, Nedhi, set up the highly popular Funky Indianwali.
As a corporate catering company, the enterprise has thrived – not only producing their own bespoke ranges of spice kits and hampers but also providing top-quality food to business leaders, the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams, and several Bollywood stars. They have become one of the region’s go-to companies for corporate events and are the preferred catering partner at some of the North East’s most prestigious venues.
For many, that level of success would be more than enough. However, Kam has also been able to develop his passion and commitment to the Asian entertainment industry through his other venture, CIA – Creative Inclusive Arts.
CIA has championed multiculturalism, bringing Asian artists and music to a much larger audience. The brand has been behind numerous high-profile arts and music events across the region, collaborating with major international artists, programming festivals, and facilitating artist development.
Some of the artists Kam has brought to the region include:
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Atif Aslam
Arijit Singh
Gurdas Maan
Satinder Sartaaj
Javed Ali
By introducing the North East to these acclaimed musicians, Kam has helped promote the region as a place that embraces other cultures and diversity. He has taken this further by working with key stakeholders, educational establishments, and local authorities to enable greater inclusivity and cultural exchange.
His achievements and passion for promoting the North East have led to a deeper understanding, the building of strong relationships, and the creation of events that have had a meaningful impact on the region’s economy. Kam’s ability to collaborate with people at all levels has earned him the respect of all communities, making him one of the North East’s most prolific and successful Asian event promoters, bringing people from all walks of life together to celebrate musical talent.
Additionally, Kam has been instrumental in project-managing the North East-based Netflix movie "Chak De Express", starring Anushka Sharma, in collaboration with Durham Cricket Club. He was involved in everything from sourcing locations to securing hotels and feeding a cast and crew of more than 250 people. This three-week shoot made a significant impact on the region’s hospitality sector.
Kam is also currently involved in encouraging another Bollywood production to film in the region in October 2024 – the fifth installment of the Bollywood Housefull franchise. This production, using various locations around the North East and featuring an A-list cast and crew of 400 people, will showcase the region to a worldwide audience, further boosting the local economy.
Kam works closely with other organizations to ensure that Asian culture has a strong voice in the region. He serves on the Board of Directors of the North East Cultural Partnerships and collaborates with North East Screen to develop strategic relationships. This further demonstrates Kam’s total commitment to spotlighting the creative and cultural sector and his unwavering dedication to uniting communities through the universal language of music, arts, and culture.
